Helen Toomey

May 10, 2012

Helen Toomey, 108, formerly of Sanibel, passed away peacefully on May 3, 2012. Helen was born in Brooklyn, Iowa, in 1903. She was valedictorian of her high school class and went on to study at the University of Southern California and the University of Iowa, where she earned her degree.

She worked as a legal secretary for many years in Iowa and Florida. She retired to Sanibel Island in 1975, where she enjoyed an active lifestyle. She later moved to Sun City Center, Fla., to be closer to her great-granddaughter, Kristen. She enjoyed travel, shell collecting, needlepoint, reading and especially playing bridge. Her biggest joy in life was visiting with her many friends and family. She had a sharp wit and keen eye for the incongruous and the absurd. She will be missed, but never forgotten, by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Paul, her brother, Harold, her sister, Frances, and son, Reed. Helen is survived by her daughter-in-law, Barbara, of Sanibel, and three grandsons; James (Lori) of Bradenton, Christopher "Kitt" of Miami, and Michael (Heidi) of Gainesville; one great-granddaughter, Kristen, of Bradenton, and several nieces and nephews.

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Helen Tomey

Arrangements are private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that friends consider taking a moment to privately reflect upon their favorite memories of Helen.